Pick a base town, then one or two houses. The valley rewards not moving the suitcase every night.
Tours or Amboise
The practical overnight bases with trains from Paris. Amboise is smaller and château-adjacent; Tours has more restaurants and rail options.
Chambord and Chenonceau
The two names worth the journey. Do not force both into one morning.
River villages
The Loire à Vélo towns between the big houses are the reason to stay a second night.
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